IS:228(Part2)-1987
lndian Standard
METHODS FOR
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF STEELS
PART 2 DETERMI NATI ON OF MANGANESE I N
PLAI N-CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEELS
BY ARSENl TE METHOD
( Third Revision)
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part 2 ) ( Third Revision ) was adopted by
the Indian Standards Institution on 16 *January 1987, after the draft
finalized by the Methods of Chemical Analysis of Ferrous Metals
Sectional Committee had been approved by the Structural and Metals
Division Council.
0.2 IS : 228, which was issued as a tentative standard in 1952, and
revised in 1959, covered the chemical analysis of pig iron, cast iron and
plain carbon and low alloy steels. For the convenience it was decided
to publish a comprehensive series on chemical analysis of steels
including high alloy steels. Accordingly, revision of IS : 228 -was
taken-up again and new series on methods of chemical analysis of steels
including high alloy steels was published in various parts as IS : 228
( Parts 1 to 13 ) (see Appendix A ) covering separate method of analysis
for each constituent in steels. However, IS : 228-1959* version has
been retained for the analysis of pig n-on and cast iron till a separate
standard for analysis of pig iron and cast iron is published.
0.2.1 This revision of IS : 228 (Part 2)-1972t has been undertaken
on the basis of experience gained during the implementation of the
standard by the manufacturers and testing laboratories.
0.3 In this revision major modifications are:
a) modification of method for dissolution of low alloy steels, and
*Methods of chemical analysis of pig iron, cast iron and plain carbon and low-alloy
steels ( revised ).
tMethods for chemical analysis of steels: Part 2 Determination of manganese in
plain-carbon and low alloy steels by arsenite method ( second revision ).

IS : 228 ( Part 2 ) - 1987
b) inclusion of reproducibility of the method at the various
levels of rnanganese content.
0.4 Photometric method for determination of manganese up
to 2 percent has been covered in IS : 228 (Part 12 )-1976*.
0.5 In reporting the result of a test or analysis made in accordance
with this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be
rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with IS : 2-1960f.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard ( Part 2 ) covers method for the determination
manganese in plain carbon and low alloy steels by arsenite method.
2. SAMPLING
of
2.1 The samples shall be drawn and prepared as prescribed in the
relevant Indian Standard.
3. QUALITY OF REAGENTS
3.1 Unless specified otherwise, analytical grade reagents and distilled
water (see IS : 1070-1977 )$ shall be employed in the test.
4. DETERMINATION OF MANGANESE ( 0’1 TO 1’5 PERCENT )
IN PLAIN CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEELS BY THE
ARSENITE METHOD (IN ABSENCE OF TUNGSTEN )
4.1 Outline of the Method - Manganese is oxidized, in presence of
silver nitrate, to permanganic acid by ammonium persulphate and
titrated with sodium arsenite solution.
4.2 Reagents
4.2.1 Dilute Nitric Acid I : 2 (lJ/ lJ).
4.2.2 Phosphoric Acid - 85 percent.
4.2.3 Dilute &iphuric Acid - 1 : 4 (I,‘I,).
*hlvthods for rhr~ntcal anal\sis of sterlr: Part 12 Dvt. rrninarion of manganese by
pe$indate ( phwometric ) nlethtid in luw and high alloy steels ( for manganese up
to 2 percent ) ( 11c0nd rcuision ).
~liulea for rounding off numerical valets (ruircd).
tS;p-ciclration for wa!cr for ~rnrral laboratoq use ( src0ndrcuion j.

IS : 22% ( Part 2 ) - 1987
4.2.4 Concentrated .Nitric Acid - Relative density 1’42 (conforming to
IS : 264-1976* ).
4.2.5 Ammonium Persulphate Solution - Freshly prepared, 10 percent
(&).
4.2.6 Silver Ntrate Solution - 1 percent (m/v).
4.2.7 Sodium Chloride Solution - 1 percent (m/v).
4.2.8 Standard Sodium Arsenite Solution - Take 1’6 g of arsenious oxide
in a 800-ml beaker. Add 10 g of sodium carbonate and 500 ml of
water in the beaker and heat at low temperature until the solution is
comlrlete. Filter the solution through a filter pad in a bottle and
make up the volume of the solution to 2 litres by addition of water.
Shake the bottle vigorously. Standardize the arsenite solution as
in 4.3 against 0’2 g of steel sample (having approximately similar
composit’ion as the sample under test ) of known manganese content.
4.2.8.1 Adjust the strength of the sodium arsenite solution in such
a way that each millilitre of the solution will be equivalent
to il.1 iwlcc*nt manganese when 0.2 g of sample is taken.
4.3 Procedure
4.3.1 J)issolution
4.3.1.1 P!ain carbon .rteel- Take 0’2 g of an accurately weighed
sample in a 250-ml conical flask. .4dd 10 ml of dilute nitric acid
and 3 to 4 ml of phosphoric acid, and heat to dissolve the sample, boil
to expel oxides of nitrogen and dilute to 100 ml.
4.3.1.2 Low al& steel -Take 0’2 g of an accurately weighed
sample in a 2X)-ml conical flask. Add 20 ml sulphuric acid and 2-3 ml
of phosphoric acid. Heat until the reaction ceases. Add concentrated
Iritlic acid drop by drop until the dissolution is complete, boil off
niLrolls fumes and dilute to 100 ml with water.
4.3.2 Add 20 ml of ammonium persulphate solution and boil.
After
f<:\ \ , minutes of boiling, when the solution becomes clear, add 10 ml of
solver nitrate and allow the colour of permnnganic acid to develop.
Boil to destroy the excess of pcrsulphate. Cool quickly to room
Ic~rnperaturt~
-
*Sptcification for nitric acid ( .trcondrcui.rion ),